Rain doesn't stop Dover from honoring Newtown victims

Sometimes it takes a dark, dreary night to bring forth the light of goodness — and such was the case Monday night as nearly 100 gathered on Public Square for a candle-lighting ceremony to honor the victims of the Newtown, Conn., shooting tragedy.

Sometimes it takes a dark, dreary night to bring forth the light of goodness — and such was the case Monday night as nearly 100 gathered on Public Square for a candle-lighting ceremony to honor the victims of the Newtown, Conn., shooting tragedy.

As a steady rain poured down, the group stood under a canopy of brightly-colored umbrellas and quietly listened as Mayor Richard Homrighausen and several members of City Council read the names of the 20 children and six adults who were killed Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

Larry Hawthorne of First Class Technical Services of Dover and his wife supplied the 26 candles that were lighted at the beginning of the ceremony, and the 26

balloons released at its conclusion. Each balloon carried aloft the name of a victim.

It was Hawthorne who approached Homrighausen with the idea Sunday, which resulted in Monday night’s event.

Pastor John Wallace of the Dover First Moravian Church prayed that God would give all of those suffering in Connecticut “the faith, hope and love to bear these heavy, numbing circumstances.”

He also urged God to give all of the children “peace of mind and heart, as they discern these troubling events of last Friday.”

Wallace said afterward that it is a time of grief and brokeness, and for him “it is a time to stand with brothers and sisters and try to help them make sense of something that seems so senseless.”

Hawthorne explained the circumstances that led him to contact Homrighausen Sunday, that resulted in Monday night’s ceremony. He was in Canada when the shootings took place in Connecticut, and one of his best friend’s sons had just committed suicide.

Hawthorne said his heart was wrenched by the two tragic events so close together, and he wanted to do something, but was at a loss to know what.

“My business is here and I love this city, and I thought ‘Well, I’ll ask Santa Claus,’ ” referring to Homrighausen. Together they came up with the idea of Monday’s memorial service.

Homrighausen said the turnout Monday night was exceptional, considering the steady rain, and he commended all who attended. He added that he is proud of the city “to know that we have enough caring people that came out on a night such as this to show that they care about other people in the world.”

Jayne Hawk of Dover said she attended “just to let (the residents of Newtown, Conn.) know we are with them in our thoughts and prayers.”

Hawk said she has two grandsons “and I don’t know how I would face tomorrow without them.”